by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — As the New York Sire Stakes draw closer to the eight $225,000 finals, presented on Sept. 13 at Yonkers Raceway, the fields in each preliminary division leading to those rich finals understandably get smaller as only the most competitive move on. However, as the fields get smaller the purses in the supporting divisions get larger.

On Thursday afternoon (Aug. 21) at Monticello Raceway, two $60,200 divisions of NYSS sophomore filly trots attracted only 14 entrants, which leads one to believe that most are, in fact, this year’s cream of the crop while those who aren’t among them are looking to join their ranks. Or maybe their connections believe they have a good chance to get a huge part of the substantial purse.

Still, as the two seven-horse fields race for the respectable purses offered, final results of these two trots could change the points-earned landscape, especially since the stop at the Mighty M on Thursday will be the final preliminary leg before their $225,000 finale.

The top eight trotters who will have earned the most points in the NYSS preliminary legs will get an opportunity to vastly increase their seasonal bankrolls in the rich finale. However, should any of the top eight fail to enter, the door will be open for those next in line in point totals.

Joining the two NYSS trots will be three Excelsior Series trotting events, also for 3-year-old fillies, arguably of lesser caliber than their NYSS cohorts. Each of the two Excelsior “A” Series trots will race for purses of $12,600 while eight others will go for a $6,800 purse in the Excelsior Series “B” event.

The first $60,200 NYSS trot will go as race six on the 12-race card. That event features the top four in points. They are (with points and drivers), Market Rally (275-Jimmy Morrill, Jr.), Glowngold (130-Chris Lems), Driving Miss Crazy (130-Gates Brunet) and Beauty Of Gray (125-Jim Meittinis). All almost assuredly will be eligible to the final.

Others in that seven horse field (with points and drivers) include Annies List (117-Tyler Buter), Cutup Hanover (75-Jeff Gregory) and Gammy’s Girl (26-Mark MacDonald).

If total points determine the abilities of the entrants then the second $60,200 division arguably contains a softer field, although Avalicious (125-Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) is tied for fourth in total points. She’ll be joined by L Dees Scripture (111-Chris Lems), Maud Blue Chip (61-Tyler Buter), Lindys Crazy Dolly (25-Larry Stalbaum), Crediama (21-Jeff Greory), Flyhawk Falina (17-Bruce Aldrich Jr.) and Do You Believe (8-Mark MacDonald).

However, it should be noted that many of the fillies with lesser point totals isn’t a decree of their abilities, it’s just that they only started a few times in the NYSS this year.

The Sire Stakes trots will be presented as races six and eight on the 12-race card on Thursday. They’ll be joined by three quality sophomore filly trotting races in the Excelsior Series which will bolster the undercard. They will go as races one, two and five. Post time for the afternoon card is slated for 12:50 p.m.